Archbishop weighs in on vicar's tribunal

The Archbishop of York has stepped into the row between a former vicar and the Island's Lord Bishop.

Dr John Sentamu has issued a statement after a disciplinary tribunal found against the former Vicar of Arbory and Castletown Dr Jules Gomes.

The tribunal found Dr Gomes guilty of unbecoming or inappropriate conduct for a clerk in Holy Orders.

Dr Sentamu says the tribunal's findings have been vindicated via comments made by Dr Gomes to the media.

The tribunal, which Dr Gomes refused to attend after leaving the Church of England to set up St Augustine's Church, said he lacked compassion or pastoral concern, displayed anger, caused serious harm to people, made untrue statements about the bishop and damaged the reputation of the Church.

Dr Sentamu says he's seen comments made by Dr. Gomes about the judgement, and says they confirm and underscore the findings.

He added Dr Gomes, who said he'd been the victim of racist bullying, cast aspersions without reason and vilified Bishop Robert Paterson.